Dozens of drug cases investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department will face extra scrutiny because officers involved in the investigations are on suspension following the release of the Freeh report two weeks ago.

Dozens of drug cases investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department will face extra scrutiny because officers involved in the investigations are on suspension following the release of the Freeh report two weeks ago.

Fort Myers City Council has decided to add a new deputy chief and two lieutenants to the police department.

When the Freeh group report was published giving unparalleled access into the department, one of the first immediate recommendations was to acquire more officers to meet the growing demand.

Since that time, at least five officers were placed on administrative leave. That included longtime Captain Duke Perry.

The following week, two more captains retired.

The Freeh group recommended hiring more officers because, as they put it, the department was wildly understaffed.

This causes many issues, mainly with officers being burnt out after taking on multiple responsibilities and shifts.

"This group has worked very thoroughly and have come up with recommendations that I think are very good," said Councilwoman Gaile Anthony of Ward 6.

Just over $397,000 is being spent between the deputy chief position and the two lieutenants. According to city leaders, the money will come from the general fund reserve.

With these expenses, the reserve is projected to fall to $11.5 million and city charter requires the reserve be at a minimum of $10 million.

Representatives for the city said the needs have to be addressed and funding will not be an issue.

"Certainly this investment in the police department is an unanticipated need, but definitely a high priority for the city," said Kirsten O'Donnell, public information officer for the City of Fort Myers.

A vote Monday signals the first step toward change. Recommendations by the Freeh group call for more officers to rotate and take the burden off important departments like the homicide unit.

A recent tally of unsolved homicides in Fort Myers showed more than 100 cases still without answers.

"I was very concerned as a new council, that we have not solved homicides in the city," Anthony said.

Before council cast their vote Monday, families of the alleged Lake Boyz gang members asked the city to look closer at the allegations facing officers in the Freeh report.

In front of a packed house, family members said they wouldn't mind paying more in taxes to hire officers. But first, they need to see officers put an end to the controversial behavior they believe is still ongoing.

Family members called for a full investigation at the federal level as well as an investigation on behalf of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

One mother told council she wants to know if officers involved in the arrest of her boyfriend were at all involved in any allegations of misconduct with the department.

In the Freeh report, some officers were alleged to have tipped off drug dealers about search warrants and others allegedly cheated on tests to gain promotions.

Fort Myers police have not commented on these allegations yet, but representatives with the Freeh group said these allegations indicate integrity issues between officers.

Monday's approvals also include hiring an on-call legal adviser for the police department. Local attorney Douglas Molloy will take on the responsibilities and be retained as legal support to aid City Attorney Grant Alley.

Of the $397,000 approved for FMPD, $75,000 will be used through the ITS department to help fund more computers, printers and tech equipment for officers.

Representatives of the Freeh group said they do not know the exact number of officers needed at FMPD. They do say they recommended at least two deputy chiefs.

In a statement late Monday, Chief Derrick Diggs said, "The items that have been approved tonight indicate that the FMPD, the City Manager, the Mayor and the City Council embrace the recommendations of the needs assessment, and are taking steps to move the department forward. We appreciate the collaborative effort to protect all residents and visitors to our City, and their commitment to reduce crime as we work toward building trust in the community."

2018-02-17T00:32:55Z2018-02-17T00:32:55ZConfessed Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz intends to plead guilty, Broward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein said Friday. Finkelstein said the object is to avoid a painful trial and for Cruz not to get the death penalty.